We are recognised as Ireland’s leading dedicated provider of QQI / FETAC award Courses and this recognition is based on the quality of our course materials, the professionalism of our tutors and the exceptional value for money we offer which is why we always ask – ‘why pay more for the same course?’.

The Open College has agreed its quality assurance procedures with QQI and is registered with QQI to offer programmes leading to QQI (Quality & Qualifications Ireland) awards. This official recognition authorises The Open College to offer programmes leading to QQI awards within the National Framework of Qualifications in Ireland.

QQI is the national awarding body for further education and training in Ireland. More Info on QQI»

Who are we?

The Open College is an independent private college with many hundreds of students and over 40 staff providing over 90 FETAC/QQI Levels 5 & 6 Award courses. Established in 2004 and FETAC Accredited in 2008 The Open College is a social entrepreneurial organisation with a proud record of innovation in education which has in just over three years become Ireland’s largest dedicated provider of FETAC / QQI approved courses.

All Open College courses over 3 months in duration are bonded and protected which provides confidence and security to all learners that their fees are fully protected.

Our Students can now be assured that they are fully protected and covered in any eventuality in these uncertain economic times. In early 2014 we shall be extending this Bond cover to include course fess on all courses we offer. We believe we will be the only training college anywhere to offer such a comprehensive guarantee to students.

The Open College is proud of the commitment of all our tutors to bring their creativity, experience and expertise to all fields of study, and to all learners regardless of their location and circumstances.

We were one of the founding members of the Irish Course Providers Association (ICPA) – a body deeply committed to excellence in training. We are 100% Irish and proud members of the Guaranteed Irish movement – ‘your safeguard for quality and Irish jobs’.

Our professionally qualified course tutors and writers are fully aware of learner needs and have designed and written courses that are flexible and up to date with current situations/legislations and learning styles as well as meeting the QQI requirements regarding course content/learning outcomes. We are the leaders in the provision of QQI award courses in Ireland and offer these at market leading prices. Our course prices start from only €250.00 and our Interest Free Easy Payment plans remains unrivalled anywhere. The Open College leads, others attempt to follow.

What do we offer?

The Open College offers you the opportunity to achieve recognised Certification without altering your current lifestyle. Distance learning/eLearning offersoptions for independent study, informal learning and varied communication channels which are provided by the Open College teams and one to one tutor support.

The Open College teams want all our students to be successful regardless of their prior experiences with distance learning methods and hence have put the resources in place to make this happen. The Open College is open all year round so there is no need to put your education on hold for the summer months.

How have we been able to achieve all of this?

Simply because of our Not for Profit status we have no shareholders to pay and can continually reinvest resources to maintain the quality of our courses and offer them at unbeatable prices. At the heart of The Open College’s success story is a closely integrated professional team of experienced educationalists and course providers supported by dedicated, highly trained administrative staff.

It is because of this success and these arrangements that The Open College, is able to offer courses leading to QQI / FETAC awards at less than half the price demanded by other colleges.

Accreditation

The Open College has agreed its quality assurance procedures with QQI and is registered with QQI to offer programmes leading to QQI (Quality & Qualifications Ireland) awards. This official recognition authorises The Open College to offer programmes leading to QQI awards within the National Framework of Qualifications in Ireland.

Why QQI?

QQI is the national awarding body for further education and training in Ireland.

As the national awarding body for further education and training in Ireland, QQI awards provide people the opportunity to gain Internationally Recognised Qualifications for their learning.

QQI is responsible for the external quality assurance of further and higher education and training (including English language provision) and validates programmes and makes awards for certain providers in these sectors.

Our Promise to You:

We are Irish, 100% Irish and proud members of the Guaranteed Irish movement – ‘your safeguard for quality and Irish jobs’.

We are Ireland’s leading College providing Accredited Courses at the best Prices. Nobody can match us either for Quality or Price. In addition to our 2 for 1 offers we are at least 40% cheaper for FETAC Award Courses compared to some other providers.

One-to-One Tutor Support: Our Students are provided with one-to-one support by qualified and experienced Tutors.

Study at your own pace. We allow ample time to complete your courses and we do not impose restrictive or our punitive conditions when you avail of our special offers.

All Our Courses are QQI Validated & Approved. We advise learners to ensure providers are validated for delivering QQI awards.

Fee Security. All Fees paid for our Major Awards are fully secure and protected by a Bond.

Choosing your Course

The task of choosing a course can be daunting. Our student advisors are happy to assist when you are trying to decide upon a course of study. We have helped thousands of individuals to qualify for their chosen career enabling us to understand the kind of support needed – from choosing a course to helping you with your studies. For additional help in selecting the course that best suits you and your goals, there is detailed course information throughout this website.

We also have dedicated course advisers who will answer any questions you have. Please call them on 01 2061828 / 01 2061829 or email: info@theopencollege.com.

When you take a course by distance learning you will never be alone. Your tutor is on hand throughout your course and you can always contact the College staff or drop into us if you have a particular difficulty. When you enrol for an attendance course you will be deeply impressed with our modern, state-of-the-art air conditioned training rooms at the Learning Centre in Dublin 18 only a few hundred yards from the LUAS Leopardstown Valley station. Or if you drive to the Centre there is amply free parking. Please note that we run attendance courses in various locations around the country such as Drogheda, Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford and we also run in-house training programmes for companies and large organisations.

Support for your Studies

Our main aim is to help you enjoy your learning experience and to successfully complete your course. You are appointed a tutor for the duration of your course. Tutors will:

Help you understand the course content

Assess your progress on the course through assignments

Provide you with written feedback on your assignments

Help you with course-related challenges.

What happens when you enrol for a course?

At the start of your course each student receives an introductory pack to guide them through their studies. The materials in this pack vary from course to course and may contain:

Handbooks – specially written and designed to guide you through your studies.

Textbooks – to complement your course notes.

Study Guide – our ‘Guide to studying with Open College Distance Learning’ covers the main points to remember when studying with us.

The only extras you may need is access to a computer/printer to download notes and to communicate with your tutor. You are responsible for any telephone or internet service provider charges your suppliers may make.